Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed legislation (S.1668/A.4915) Tuesday requiring that death certificates in cases of opioid overdose specify which opioid was involved in the death, if known. This new law requires that information be recorded so that more data will be available to better address the opioid crisis.

"New York has taken the most aggressive actions to combat the opioid crisis of any other state in the country," Cuomo said. "This commonsense law will go a great length to ensure we have the most accurate information to be able to stop this public health scourge once and for all."

Under current law, if a person dies of an opioid overdose, there is no requirement that the death certificate specify which opioid was involved. The legislation signed today takes effect immediately.